In 1985 the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began enforcing a ban on blood donations from men who have had sex with other men anytime after 1977 for fear of drawing HIV-contaminated blood. Though much has happened in the last 30 years, and even with today's advanced HIV screenings, they refuse to change their stance on the ban.
Ryan James Yezak, the director of the upcoming documentary "Second Class Citizens," hopes to change this with the first ever National Gay Blood Drive on July 12.
All across the country on July 12 from 9am to 5pm PST, gay and bisexual men, (also known as "MSM donors") can show up to a designated blood donation center where a mobile HIV testing center will be waiting. The men will be tested, and once the test is negative, they can attempt to donate blood. When the men are rejected from giving blood, their HIV test results will be compiled and delivered to the FDA, to show the administration why they should lift their ban.
In a press release about the Blood Drive, Yezak says:
"The ban is outdated, and as a result, countless otherwise eligible gay and bisexual men are unable to contribute to thenation’s blood supply and help save lives. Especially a time when blood shortages are increasingly common. Not only that, but the ban perpetuates negative stereotypes and stigma. Whether intentional or not, it is discrimination based on sexual orientation.”
The American Medical Association (AMA) also recently came out against the gay blood ban, saying the ban is "discriminatory" and "not based on sound science."
For more information on the National Gay Blood Drive, watch the video above featuring Yezak, and check out his YouTube page on July 8 when his next YouTube video "National Gay Blood Drive" is released.